Description
Creamy Italian Cream Cake brings Southern charm and Italian elegance to dessert tables, blending rich mascarpone and delicate coconut. Sweet nostalgia meets sophisticated flavor in this irresistible Southern-Italian fusion you’ll crave after the first heavenly bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Components:
- 1 box (15.25 oz / 432 g) white or yellow cake mix
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fluid ounces) buttermilk
- ⅓ cup (80 ml / 2.7 fluid ounces) vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Mix-Ins:
- 1 cup (80 g) sweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup (60 g) chopped pecans
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) heavy cream (optional, for spreading consistency)
Optional Garnish:
- Additional chopped pecans
- Toasted coconut flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the cake-baking environment by warming the oven to 350°F and meticulously coating two 9-inch cake pans with grease and flour or parchment paper.
- Create a luxurious batter by whisking together cake mix, eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract for approximately two minutes until achieving a silky, uniform texture.
- Integrate shredded coconut and chopped pecans into the batter using gentle folding techniques to maintain the mixture’s delicate consistency.
- Distribute the batter evenly between prepared pans, ensuring uniform depth for consistent baking.
- Slide the pans into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge completely clean.
- Allow cakes to rest in their pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack to reach room temperature.
- Craft the decadent cream cheese frosting by blending softened cream cheese and butter until achieving a smooth, creamy foundation.
- Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, mixing on low speed and pausing between additions to create a luscious, velvety texture.
- Enhance the frosting with vanilla extract, whipping on high speed until achieving a light, airy consistency. Adjust thickness with heavy cream if needed.
- Construct the cake by positioning the first layer on a serving plate and lavishing it with a generous frosting spread.
- Crown the cake with the second layer, then meticulously frost the entire exterior for a polished presentation.
- Optionally embellish with sprinkled chopped pecans and toasted coconut flakes for textural intrigue.
- Slice and serve, ideally accompanied by a warm beverage to complement the cake’s rich flavors.
Notes
- Swap regular cake mix with gluten-free alternatives for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delightful dessert.
- Toast pecans and coconut beforehand to intensify their nutty, caramelized flavors and add extra depth to the cake’s texture.
- Chill cream cheese and butter at room temperature for smoother, lump-free frosting that spreads effortlessly across cake layers.
- Adjust sugar content in frosting by taste-testing, allowing flexibility for those preferring less sweetness while maintaining creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg